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Birds of a Feather Advertise Together

By Matt Wood in Miscellaneous on Mar 1, 2007 7:51PM

chicagoist_200703_flamingo.gifWalking along Michigan Avenue last night after work, we noticed something a little strange. Flamingos everywhere. Hundreds of them. Was it a friendly prank in honor of some poor bloke's 40th birthday or had our desk job finally succeeded in driving us completely insane? Upon closer inspection, we found that it was neither.

Around the neck of each flamingo was a ribbon adorned with an AirTran Airways logo. Ah, a publicity stunt, how novel. But, damn if we didn't instantly have thoughts of planes and Florida beaches and oh please get me out of this city before this weather sucks the life from my soul. Who says marketing doesn't work?

Further research told us that these flamingos are part of a clever promotion by AirTran, wherein they are offering nine free flights to Florida to the lucky person who finds the lone teal flamingo amidst the sea of pink. Mind you, it's not just any teal flamingo, but AirTran's Florida mascot, Sunny the Teal Flamingo. The originality blows the mind.

AirTran is pushing their expanded service from Midway to several Florida destinations including Miami, Sarasota/Bradenton, Orlando, Ft. Myers and West Palm Beach.

We know that you don't have anything better to do than run around town looking for a teal bird, so get out there (you have until March 3). Just remember who gave you the idea when you're handing out those free flights.

Thanks Amanda!

Image from AirTran